Milthorpe on campaign trail as parties look for candidates

A hotly contested preselection process is underway for three parties in the seat of Farrer, in what is being seen as one of the most intriguing by-elections for decades.

It follows the recent announcement from Member for Farrer Sussan Ley that she would quit politics, after being ousted as the Liberal Party leader.

Ms Ley originally indicated she would take a farewell tour of the electorate to thank constituents for supporting her over the past 25 years, before officially resigning.

However, the Southern Riverina News believes the farewell tour has been cancelled.

Independent Michelle Milthorpe is the first candidate on the campaign trail for the Farrer by-election, which at this stage is being tipped to be held in late May.

While there are only two confirmed candidates for the by-election, a number of others are likely to be announced in coming weeks.

Mrs Milthorpe, who defeated Ms Ley across Albury in the 2025 federal election but could not get enough votes in regional parts of the electorate, is expected to be a strong contender in the by-election.

In early betting markets, Mrs Milthorpe is a firm favourite to win the seat. If this occurs, it will be the first time that Farrer has not been represented by either the Nationals or the Liberal Party since its inception in 1949.

Disenchantment with representation from major parties is considered a key reason for increased support for independents, and potentially One Nation.

Mrs Milthorpe and Family First candidate Rebecca Scriven are the only ones to officially announce their candidacy to this point.

Mrs Scriven is originally from South Australia but now lives just north of Albury and works at an independent Christian school.

Mrs Milthorpe will be busy in the region this week, as she attempts to boost her vote in rural areas, in particular with her push for improved water management and opposition to water buybacks.

She will officially open an office on Thursday morning at 255 Cressy St, Deniliquin, with a sausage sizzle and refreshments.

She is also hosting a meet and greet today at the Blighty Hotel, from 5pm.

The Milthorpe campaign received a boost last week with a $60,000 contribution from the Regional Voices Fund, which raises money to strengthen community-backed independent representation across rural and regional Australia.

Mrs Milthorpe has also received support from Climate 200, which has linked her with teal candidates who have won elections with the help of its financial contributions.

Meanwhile, the major parties expected to contest the by-election are still going through the pre-selection process.

The Liberal Party has been trying to convince state Member for Albury Justin Clancy to stand as its candidate, but no announcement has been made.

A spokesperson for the Nationals said there is “a lot of interest” and they expect a “heavily contested preselection”. Nominations are open and preselection will close early March.

Deniliquin’s Perin Davey, the former Nationals’ Senator who lost her seat at the 2025 federal election, is being touted as a possible candidate.

Others who have been publicly linked to pre-selection include Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, who has previously stood for Farrer as a high-profile independent, and the party’s branch chairman Brad Robertson.

“There is a lot going on with lots of polling taking place and the Nationals will run a very localised, grass roots campaign on the ground,” the spokesperson said.

But the Nationals will have to turn around many years of poor performances at state and federal level if they are to regain the seat that was once considered a stronghold, until the retirement of former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer.

They lost the federal seat when Sussan Ley recorded a surprise win 25 years ago, and at state level lost the seat of Murray in a by-election to Independent Helen Dalton, who has been able to comfortably retain it.

Poorly run local campaigns have been a major contributor to these Nationals’ defeats.

One Nation leaders Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce have been talking to Independent state Member for Murray Helen Dalton, but no decisions have been made.

Mrs Dalton’s office said Sussan Ley has not yet resigned, and “Helen is still talking to her constituents about what is best for the electorate”.

The by-election will be seen as a huge test for One Nation, which will be attempting to turn a surge in the polls into votes at the ballot box.

Preferences are expected to play a key role in the by-election.

Mrs Milthorpe has said she would not direct preferences.

Liberals and Nationals are hoping they get the greatest benefit from preferences.

Labor is not expected to run a candidate, but has not yet made an official announcement. There were media reports yesterday that Labor elders were encouraging the party to contest the seat, primarily in the hope this would direct votes away from One Nation.

Latest betting markets have Independent (Michelle Milthorpe) at $1.91, Nationals $3.40, One Nation $4.33 and Liberals $7.

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Wednesday, 3rd May 2028

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